Allen- c



June 24, 1930,

A. C. SMITH PLUG Filed April 14, 1928 Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES P EN: OFFICE ALLEN SMITH, OF CIlEVELAN'D, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE T-I-IOLD MFG. ('10., OF CLEVE- 'LAND, OHIO, .A CORPQBATION OF OHIO PLUG I Applic at-ion filed April 14,

This invention relates to, a plug adapted to be used to repair leaks in boilers,'pipes or the like. I-Ieretofore, plugs for this purpose have been so formed that it has been necessary to use a separate element, such as a chisel, to perforate the wall to be repaired so as to allow of the insertion of the plug head, or they have been so formed that the head itself could be driven through the wall, after which the head was turned and the; plug secured in position.

The disadvantages inherent in the first of these forms is evident in that the employment of a separate tool requires an additional step in the repairing and the necessity of always having such tool at'hand.

The second of these forms of plugs, while being more conveniently applied, have possessed the disadvantage of engaging the inner side of the wall over a limited surface area.

Inasmuch as the wall has deteriorated before the necessity arises of using a repair plug of this nature, it is evident that such limited engagement does not provide a secure anchorage for the plug, and always presents the possibility of the plug pulling through the weakened wall of the boiler or pipe being repaired.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a repair plug, wherein the head is so formed that it may be driven through the wall of the member and will, upon the member being secured in position to the wall, engage the inner side of the sameover a relatively large area of surface adjacent to the opening formed therein.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing where- Figure 1 is an elevational view of a boiler with the bolt of the repair plug positioned to be driven through the leaky portion thereof. 7

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the boiler shown in Figure 1, the head of the bolt having been driven through the wall.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2,

1 templated to employ a 1928. Serial N0 269,888.

the bolt having been turned 90 after the wall, the head of the bolt being omitted, and

' Figures 7 and 8 are detail views of portions of the plug.

In carrying out the invention it is conbolt, one end of which is cylindrical and threaded, as IIldI-r cated at 10, while the other end is provided with an enlarged head capable of being driven through the wall and of afterwards engaging the inner surface of said wall over a relatively large area,this portion being,

indicated at 11.

Although various forms of heads be used foraccomplishing this purpose, the head shown herein is the preferable form, so far as is know at present, and will, therefore, be described in detail, with the understandited specifically thereto. This head may be said to be wedge-shaped, the outer end of which has a sharp cutting or penetrating edge 12, while the sides 13 and 1 1 diverge outwardly therefrom toward the threaded end of the bolt. The ends of the sides 13 and 14 terminate abruptly at 15 and 16 so as to form flat wall engaging surfaces of relativelyv large area. the head is ofthe same transverse thickness from the cutting and penetrating edge 12 to the surface engaging portions 15 and 16 and is, therefore, quite different in construction fromthose plugs employing bolts having I I an arrow head formation. In fact, the head of the bolt shown herein corresponds ingeneral to the shape of the chisel usually em ployed in perforating the wall to be re paired.-

It is evident thatthe relatively large surfaces 15' and 16 will engage the inner surface however, that the invention is n0t'lim- It should be noted that of the wall with a substantially flat metal" to metal contact over' a large contacting area, and, therefore, the plug will be held in engagement with the wall in such manner that the weakened portion of the wall adjacent to the leak will not form the wall attaching surface for the plug.

It should also be noted that since the engagement is a flat metal to metal engagement eliminating the use of penetrating tangs or barbs that less likelihood is present of the weakened wall being further injured. As soon as the bolt is turned after the head has been driven through the portion to be repaired, it is preferable to provide some means thereon which will engage in the opening formed and will prevent turning movement of the bolt while in such position. A shoulder 17 is provided for this purpose, which shoulder lies intermediate the head and the threaded portion of the bolt, and is of a transverse thickness corresponding to the thickness of the head.

As already suggested, the bolt is positioned at the leaky portion of the Wall, with the cutting edge 12 engaging the same. When in this position several sharp blows With a hammer or other tool will drive the head through the wall forming a substantially rectangular opening 18 therein with the metal displaced from such opening included in the burrs l9 and 20 turned back from either end of the opening.

The bolt is inserted through the wall sufficiently to disengage the shoulder 17 from the opening, whereupon it is turned substantially 90 and the shoulder again positioned in the opening with the surfaces 1 5 andl6 engaging the inner surface of the wall upon opposite sides thereof. In order to facilitate the turning of the bolt a transverse slot 21 is provided at the threaded end, such slot serving to indicate the amount of rotation which has been imparted to the bolt. The bolt being in this position a substantially annular rubber or other gasket 22 is passed over the threaded end, as is also a washer 23 and a nut 24. The washer is preferably of annular concave shape and of greater diameter than the gasket, so that the gasket will seat therein. When the nut Qbls threaded down upon the threaded end of the bolt, the gasket and washer Will be forced toward the Wall with the gasket engaging the outer surface thereof, so as to completely surround the opening and prevent seepage or leakage of water or other liquid therefrom.

"Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described herein, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of other modifications and adaptations Within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention what V I claim as new is:

plug for repairing leaks in boilers, pipes and the like, comprising a bolt threaded at one end and havi g an enlarged head at its other end, said head having a sharp driving and penetrating edge and being substantially of an equal transverse thickness throughout its length, whereby the bolt may be driven through the wall of the member being repaired and then upon bein turned approximately 90 the head will engage the inner surface of the wall thereof with a substantially flat metal to metal engagement over a relatively large substantially rectangular surface on both sides of the opening formed therein, a gasket arranged on said bolt, a washer fitted on said bolt and engaging said gasket, and a nut arranged on the threaded end of the bolt outwardly of the washer.

2. A plug for repairing leaks in boilers, pipes or the like, comprising a bolt threaded at one end and its other end provided with an enlarged head having a sharp driving and penetrating outer edge, and divergent sides extending from the driving edge of substantially equal transverse thickness throughout, the head at its inner end being provided with relatively large flat Wall engaging surfaces, a shoulder on said bolt of substantially the same transverse thickness as the head and arranged intermediate the same and the threaded end of the bolt, a gasket, a Washer adapted to engage said gasket, and a nut arranged on said threaded end of the bolt outwardly of the washer.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature. 7

ALLEN C. SMITH. 

